Trump appears to attack NFL national anthem protesters during State of the Union address

In the first of many “he went there” moments from President Donald Trump’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday, the commander-in-chief launched a very thinly veiled swipe at the NFL players who took a knee for the national anthem.

The moment came while Trump honored 12-year-old Preston Sharp. The California boy earned a seat next to first lady Melania Trump for a program he started to make sure the graves of U.S. soldiers were marked with American flags.

“Preston’s reverence for those who have served our nation reminds us of why we salute our flag, why we put our hands on our hearts for the Pledge of Allegiance, and why we proudly stand for the National Anthem,” said Trump, to wild applause from the Republicans in the Capitol chamber.

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New England Patriots kneel during national anthem

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New England Patriots kneel during national anthem

FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 24: Members of the New England Patriots kneel during the National Anthem before a game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 24: Members of the New England Patriots kneel on the sidelines during the National Anthem before a game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 24: New England Patriots players take a knee during the national anthem before the start of a game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Sept. 24, 2017. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 24: New England Patriots players take a knee during the national anthem before the start of a game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Sept. 24, 2017. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

FOXBORO, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 24: Members of the New England Patriots kneel on the sidelines as the National Anthem is played before a game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)

FOXBORO, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 24: Head coach Bill Belichick looks on as members of the New England Patriots kneel on the sidelines as the National Anthem is played before a game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)

FOXBORO, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 24: Members of the New England Patriots kneel on the sidelines as the National Anthem is played before a game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 24, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)

Sep 24, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; Members of the New England Patriots kneel for the national anthem before the start of the game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 24, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and head coach Bill Belichick (third from left) stand during the national anthem before a game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Reaction to the moment came in fast and frothing. GOP Twitter took note of Democrats’ sullen faces at the invocation of the anthem, while Liberal Twitter said the president invoking the NFL protest undermined any hope of a unifying address.

“He shoved sitting for the national anthem right up their asses,” wrote Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld.

he shoved sitting for the national anthem right up their asses. Did Dems stand for the applause? this guy. nothing like it.